Do You Use Wheel Spacers?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (BSeery)
I have run wheel spacers in the past but not over 3/8th inch, I made them myself out of 6061T6 alumimun but at the same time I extended the hub so it still guided the inside of the mag. I wouldn't just rely on the lugs to properly center the rims.
I also used upgraded Morosso 1/2 x 3 inch lugs with special threaded all the way through nuts.
I feel our stock lugs are marginal and the added stress of spacers and less thread contact could cause a problem.
I also used upgraded Morosso 1/2 x 3 inch lugs with special threaded all the way through nuts.
I feel our stock lugs are marginal and the added stress of spacers and less thread contact could cause a problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
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From: New Cumberland PA
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (OHSIXX)
I have 1/2" spacers on both the front and rear of my 76. I have it for 20+ years and put over 40k miles on it. I'm not sure how long the first owner had the wheels and adapters on. I never considered it a safety issue. The lugs are much longer than a standard lug. I had the front wheels off yesterday and I counted that they were threaded onto the studs by 8 threads. After reading that only 5 threads are needed, I'm not going to consider removing them.
Mike
Mike
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Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (mandm1200)
I have 1/2" spacers on both the front and rear of my 76. I have it for 20+ years and put over 40k miles on it. I'm not sure how long the first owner had the wheels and adapters on. I never considered it a safety issue. The lugs are much longer than a standard lug. I had the front wheels off yesterday and I counted that they were threaded onto the studs by 8 threads. After reading that only 5 threads are needed, I'm not going to consider removing them.
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (Red 69)
Maybe in theory just 5 threads equals the strength of the stud but I am not convinced. If I have a 1/2 inch studs and install a nut with only 5 threads engage, in theory the stud will break before the threads strip??? Figure out the area of the stud, then figure out the areas of the threads and see which is has the more area????
I believe in fully threaded lug nuts with the studs passing right through.
I believe in fully threaded lug nuts with the studs passing right through.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (norvalwilhelm)
I feel this is a good setup. The hubs did not match the wheels so a precision spacer was pressed on the hub that is a good fit on the inside of the rim. The studs are upgraded to 1/2 inch x 3 inches long and the nuts have at least 1 1/4 inches of thread, all the way through. The red dots are to make sure when I take the wheel off everything goes back exactly as it came off. I know the balance and runout have been corrected and this gives me a reference point.
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Thread Starter
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Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (norvalwilhelm)
Okay! I learned some stuff today. I bought my Cragar SS Wheels from a little one-man Wheel Shop about a year ago. He installed the wheels and the McGard lug nuts.
I have taken the wheels off one time when the car came out of the body shop to clean the insides. At that time I was more interested in cleaning things up and painting the wheel wells than examining the lug nuts and spacers.
Today I went back to the Wheel Shop and asked "Mike" about my wheels and spacers. He said my very long lug nuts pass all the way through the 5/8" billet aluminum spacers and use up the entire thread on the stud. :)
Later this week I will be taking the wheels off to paint the calibers and plan to pay real close attention to the lug nuts, spacers, and studs.
Anyway, I feel a lot better and this very professional exchange of opinions and information has benefited me greatly. Thanks! :)
[Modified by OHSIXX, 6:49 PM 5/24/2004]
I have taken the wheels off one time when the car came out of the body shop to clean the insides. At that time I was more interested in cleaning things up and painting the wheel wells than examining the lug nuts and spacers.
Today I went back to the Wheel Shop and asked "Mike" about my wheels and spacers. He said my very long lug nuts pass all the way through the 5/8" billet aluminum spacers and use up the entire thread on the stud. :)
Later this week I will be taking the wheels off to paint the calibers and plan to pay real close attention to the lug nuts, spacers, and studs.
Anyway, I feel a lot better and this very professional exchange of opinions and information has benefited me greatly. Thanks! :)
[Modified by OHSIXX, 6:49 PM 5/24/2004]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Guam
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (OHSIXX)
What was described above is exactly what many of us have been doing for years. So it is not a big deal. Now, if you are racing and putting big stress on your lug nuts, then upgrade to extended aftermarket studs and lug nuts. Even with a spacer, your threads will still come out past the face of the wheel. And the aftermarket studs are made of a stronger material than the stock counterparts. The NHRA requires this upgrade on aftermarket wheels for safety reasons. So spacers should not be the concern.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (Sharky Guam)
it looks like you guys running all the fancy aftermarket rims wanna make yourselves feel better but it is more dangerous than 99% of the "bubba" stuff that is condemed here all the time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (turtlevette)
The stock rotor arrangement itself is a spacer between the hub and rim, it also comes into contact with threads, the knurl on stock studs does not extend. When using aftermarket studs I don't see a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Re: Do You Use Wheel Spacers? (turtlevette)
That's a rather strong statement that I do not agree with. You, and I, have benefitted from the advice from a number of Corvette drivers with a lot of experience. What led you to your conclusion?
